And so it begins, an Introduction to a new project.

[thatguyponcho]

Well, to start, IDK if I bit off more than I can chew with this project or not just yet. I'm the proud new owner of a 71 Lemans. My friend found it in South Dakota for me, for $1300. The body isn't horrible but needs a little love, it came with a seized ( as of this posting it's free now ) Pontiac 400 from 76 with 6x-8 heads so not bad. It is missing quite a bit of parts though. I have 2 dash pads but no cluster, no front seats, carpet, distributor, starter, carb, pulleys, PS pump, transmission, flex plate, driveshaft, no brakes ( the pedal is hard as a rock ), half the heater box, and almost no headliner ( it's in there but better off gone, a couple of panels are held together with metal wire and a phone cord ) BUT the rear seat is there and cleaned up pretty well, doors open and shut nicely, door panels aren't horrible, and there's not a mouse problem. I guess my next step is getting the engine cleaned up and parts sourced so I can get it together and see if it'll fire. Here's to an adventure that I hope to finish before my youngest ( 2 at the moment ) graduates from school. I'm gonna need all the help I can get.

 

[melsg5]

Good luck and keep us updated

 

[thatguyponcho]

Well, yesterday was a good day for tearing some things down. Found some issues rust wise and IDK what I'm gonna do about that. Got the front clip off, door panels, rear shelf cover, and got the passenger rear window back on track. Found out the passenger door is missing the ( for lack of knowing the right name ) center track/pole that keeps the window in line and the reason why is because the door is rusted out on the bottom. The cowl is a bit dickered up with rust and the fact a rafter came down pretty hard on the cowl and windshield. The passenger side of this ride has been beaten up a bit lol. The fiberglass front needs a bit of repair, the "tab" that the support bracket bolts to snapped off and the nose has a bit of damage but it's pretty repairable and solid, passenger fender is rough with a couple of big dents. But regardless of the bodywork, I'm really wanting to get the drivetrain going. Thoughts?

 

[thatguyponcho]

Good luck and keep us updated

Will do. Should be fun right lol.

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[melsg5]

Have you done body work before including welding?

 

[92 Sunbird LE]

That cowl looks as bad as my Sunbird's...Have fun with that repair ... hopefully your A pillars aren't rotted also....

Doug in P.R.,

 

[thatguyponcho]

Have you done body work before including welding?

Well, not since Highschool with my 79' Camaro. Welding I'm still proficient at. But everything else I'm out of touch with.

 

[thatguyponcho]

That cowl looks as bad as my Sunbird's...Have fun with that repair ... hopefully your A pillars aren't rotted also....

Doug in P.R.,

A pillars are still solid thank the Pontiac Gods

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[thatguyponcho]

Well got the front end all back together after spending some time straightening out the radiator support and welding in some 3/16 plate after cutting out the hole in it for the mounting hardware. Before getting it back together I power washed everything then sprayed the firewall and radiator support with some matte black rust inhibitor paint. I think I've removed all the mouse nests, ( in the hood, oil pan, back seat, and heater core ) still finding those mud wasp nests and taking care of those as I go. Removed the wiring harness and have been slowly removing the last bit of the interior. Slow and steady.